Farm Basics #1152 Mobile and Immobile Nutrients In Plants (Air Date 5-3-20)

Summary

This video discusses the importance of mobile and immobile nutrients in plant health. Farmers need to ensure crops receive essential nutrients at the right times to avoid deficiencies. Mobile nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can move within the plant, leading to discoloration in lower leaves if they're deficient. Immobile nutrients, such as sulfur and zinc, affect newer growth, causing upper leaves to change color. Monitoring nutrient levels through leaf analysis can help farmers address deficiencies early, ensuring healthy plant growth and optimal yields.

Takeaways

• 🌱 Mobile and immobile nutrients differ in how they move within a plant.
• 🌾 Nutrient availability throughout the season is crucial for crop health and yield.
• 🌿 Mobile nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium can move from the lower to upper parts of the plant when needed.
• 🍂 Deficiency in mobile nutrients causes lower leaves to change color, such as yellowing from nitrogen or potassium, and purple from phosphorus.
• 🌻 Immobile nutrients, like sulfur and zinc, show deficiency in the upper leaves as they cannot move within the plant.
• 🌍 Farmers may need to apply nutrients in-season, especially in soils with low nutrient-holding capacity, like sandy soils.
• 🍽 Spoon-feeding plants with small amounts of fertilizer throughout the season helps maintain nutrient availability.
• 🌿 Deficiency symptoms may not always be visible until the plant is severely short on nutrients.
• 🧪 Leaf analysis is a useful method to detect nutrient deficiencies early before visible signs appear.
• 🌾 Proper nutrient management not only boosts plant health and yields but also reduces the risk of weed growth.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the Farm Basics segment?

The main topic discussed is the difference between mobile and immobile nutrients within a plant and how they affect crop health.

Why is it important for farmers to consider the timing of nutrient application?

It's important because crops have specific nutrient requirements at different stages of growth, and applying nutrients at the wrong time can lead to deficiency issues.

What does 'mobile nutrients' refer to in the context of the discussion?

Mobile nutrients are those that can be moved within the plant from one part to another, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.

How do mobile nutrients affect the plant if they are deficient?

If deficient, the plant will rob nutrients from the lower part, causing it to turn a different color, such as yellow for nitrogen and potassium, and purple for phosphorus.

What are 'immobile nutrients' and how do they show deficiency?

Immobile nutrients cannot be moved within the plant. Deficiency signs appear on the top portion or newest growth, and the upper leaves turn a different color.

Why might a farmer need to apply nutrients in-season?

A farmer might need to apply nutrients in-season if the soil cannot hold and keep nutrients available, such as in sandy soil with low nutrient holding capacity.

What is the difference between the visual symptoms of mobile and immobile nutrient deficiencies?

Mobile nutrient deficiencies are indicated by lower leaves turning a different color, while immobile nutrient deficiencies are indicated by upper leaves turning a different color.

How can a farmer determine if a plant is deficient in nutrients?

A farmer can take leaf analysis by sending samples to a lab to determine nutrient content and identify any deficiencies.

What is the significance of keeping plants well-fed according to the discussion?

Keeping plants well-fed is crucial for achieving top yields and minimizing the amount of weeds in the fields.

What is the Weed of the Week segment mentioned in the transcript?

The Weed of the Week segment is a part of the show where they discuss how to manage a specific tough weed.

Why might a plant not show visual deficiency symptoms until it is severely nutrient deficient?

Plants might not show visual deficiency symptoms until they are severely deficient because the symptoms only become apparent when the plant's nutrient reserves are significantly depleted.